CHAPTER 21

Said and Done

      "Ebony, will you shut up!" demanded Yusuke.

      "Quit badgering me," she answered. "Didn't you realize this is my way of releasing my apprehension?"

      "Well, try being quite and anxious at the same time," said the somewhat, annoyed Adrian.

      "Why am I so unlucky? I mean of all the people, I ended up with you two bozos. "

      "Quit bitching, Ebony," said Adrian. "'Sides, we two are much saner than those other four."

      "Kurama talks to his plants. I mean, he actually tells them how his day fared," said Yusuke. "Probably got brain over load; too much school."

      "Audie watches the ants on one of the palace gardens, names them, and actually recognizes each individual. Precocious as he was as a child, he probably was given too much responsibilities at such a young age. I guess he finally lost it."

      "Hiei once tried to play catch with the Koryuhha. He never found the ball again. Poor guy! Probably, spent too much time with himself."

      "And Iantha chases her killer instead of running away. She really has no attachment to life whatsoever. I hope we don't run into Ixion. That loony girl might just throw herself to him as a "sacrificial lamb".

      "There's nothing wrong about what their doing. It's kinda cool except for Aiea, of course. She's nuts alright," said Ebony panting. "However, that thing about Hiei is way over the top. He's probably driven himself crazy thinking too much."

      "You're right," said Yusuke thoughtfully. "You are madder than any of them."

      "At least, they don't talk to themselves," said Adrian with a guffaw.

      "What's wrong about that?" demanded Ebony.

      "Ebony, chill," said Adrian. "We'll meet up with the others sooner or later."

      "Chill?" Ebony ranted. "Oh yeah, chill. I've been running around this place for an hour and a half, got nearly hacked to pieces by a number of half-wit assassins, barely escaped being squashed by a million or so booby traps, still haven't found that blasted Azrael and Master Mukuro and your asking me to chill? HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CHILL? I 'M SO BOILING HOT, I'M LOSING MY HEAD. I'M LOSING MY HEAD BECAUSE THIS MAY WELL BE MY LAST NIGHT ALIVE. I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE! What am I saying? I must be going nuts. Where are you, big brother? AUDIEEEEEEE---oof!"

      Ebony smacked headlong on Audric's chest. "Ebony?" he asked.

      "I'm ok, big brother," she said grinning wildly.  "Just trying to release some pent up heebie-jeebies. Yikes!"

      The last remark was due to her noticing the attackers of her newly reunited companions. The others, on the other hand, meaning Kurama, Iantha and Hiei, sped off to safety with out even stopping. Yusuke and Adrian soon followed suit. Only Audric was left behind with Ebony still clutching at him.

      "I see," muttered Audric. "Let's go."

      "Whoa!' Ebony gave out a surprised cry as she was dragged off by Audric.

      Then suddenly an attack came; not on them but on their assailants. Everybody turned to their enemies. Direct hit! The troop of lizard-like monsters was engulfed in one giant ball of flame.

      "Wow!' said Ebony. "Why didn't I think of that? Nice shot, Adrian!"

      "Huh?" Adrian denied in puzzlement. "I didn't do it."

      "Then it was you Aiea? C'mon, don't be too modest."

      "I didn't either," claimed Iantha.

      "Who did. It couldn't have been Hiei. The flames were blue."

      They looked at one another, eyes questioning. None claimed to have released the powerful attack. Then, suddenly from behind, a voice spoke.

      "I did it.":

      "Oh my !" gasped Iantha, eyes widening in fear, in shock and in sheer joy. "Ixion?"

      Unknowingly, Aiea took a wary step forward.

      "No Aiea," warned Ebony sharply. "It may be a trap."

      "Can't you see, Eb? He's come to help us. He has broken the spell."

      "I-I-I-I still don't trust… him."

      "I don't blame you, Princess Ebony," said Ixion in an emotionless voice. "And believe me it wasn't easy breaking free from Azrael's enchantments. Perhaps, it was Aiea's love for me and mine for her that helped."

      "B-b-b-b-but…"

      "I knew it!" said Aiea. Another step was made, a bigger one and one not so hesitant. "I knew you would be able to break free."

      "My Iantha," he crooned amorously. "I 'm so sorry if I had hurt you. I miss you so much. Come to me baby."

      "No!" yelled Ebony.

      Iantha ignored her. She ran to her beloved, eyes shinning jubilantly, mouth stretched wide in sweet laughter and tears spurting uncontrollably from her eyes. But just when she was barely arm length away from him, she came to a stop. Great was her shock when she realized Ixion was weeping. Not  tears of salty excretion, tears of blood!

      "I'm sorry, Aiea," he said, his whole being numb except for the eyes which spoke of unspeakable agony. "Truly…"

      His index finger pointed to her and began to glow. Aiea was unable to move, frozen in surprise and disappointment. In a flash, a blue flame of tremendous intensity lashed out at her.

      Only one person was able to react quickly enough. Audric dashed before Iantha, shielding her from the attack by drawing a force field around her and himself. Then, a flash of lightning bolted out of nowhere and struck Ixion. The flame attack stopped as he fell on the floor.

      Iantha flung herself on her elder brother, her tears still streaming non-stop. "Ixion--" she choked out.

      "Don't worry," said the king gently. "He's only unconscious. He'll awake in an hour or so. Maybe even less, depending on his recovery."

      "Now what do we do," asked Hiei. "We could have used him to find  out Azrael's whereabouts. I just can't find him." His Jagan throbbed and glowed.

      "Ah, but we could. Azrael may have masked himself but he must still maintain contact with his minions. We can find out a lot from Ixion by probing his mind. Perhaps, we can even release him from the charm wrapping him."

      "Who'll do all that?"

      "I will."

      The time is ripe, thought Azrael. Everything is complete. I must start now.

      He pulled to himself telekinetically a blackened out Mukuro drifting in midair. He started his incantations and proceeded to merge with the child. He appeared to have failed for nothing happened after a while.

      No, he thought. Perhaps, she is resisting me. I'm so unused to it that I almost can't enter. I'll try again and surely, I shall succeed this time.

      "We're here!' declared a voice. Ebony and her companions appeared out of nowhere in the dark many-pillared chamber.

Her eyes scanned the greenish gray tongue of flame burning in the center of the room, reaching the height of 15 ft. Mukuro was in its core, but she was not being consumed by fire nor did she showed any sign of feeling burning agony.

      Then, it hit her. Oh, no! she thought in panic. The transition is tonight!. We came just in time. A little later would have been to late.

      "I knew there was some purpose you stayed behind during the siege," said Kurama.

      Audric nodded. "I suspected this as well. That's why I had them check out the lab. They found nothing but Azrael is an unusually gifted magician."

      "What?" exclaimed Yusuke. "You mean tonight's the night for the transformation?"

      "But it's not yet time," said Hiei.

      "Apparently, it is," murmured Adrian.

      Then the children will perish. They're way too premature."

      "No," insisted Kurama. "I've been telling you guys over and over that they can accelerate the growth of the cells. Don't you remember when Ebony gave Yomi and his son Shura as an example?"

      "But all elements must be present," said Ebony. "Are they?"

      Audric nodded. "Listen, " he said to every one. "The phrase 'red skies' wasn't used as a metaphor in the account--"

      "It's actually the lunar eclipse!" said Kurama.

      "Right. A lunar eclipse may last from twenty minutes to about two hours. This one has been going for an hour and a half. We have to prevent him from making any contact with the mother for at most thirty minutes. After that it'll be over for him."

      "Well, congratulations," said Azrael. "You've finally figured it out. It's true, you are wasting my precious time but I suppose I must take care of you first. And don't worry. You won't have top fight for a full half-hour. You'll be resting peacefully by then. IN HELL!"

      "Plan A," signaled Ebony to the others. "Talk the man out."

      "You're a highly intelligent and intuitive person," said Audric to the dark one. "You had millennia to think about the effects of what you are doing."

      "Yeah," hollered Yusuke. "You know how many living things will die and how much will be destroyed."

      "I couldn't care any less," said Azrael coolly with a sinister maleficent grin.

      "Ha! You're like those other lunatics who tried to conquer all realms. You're as evil and as stubborn!" He whispered to the others, "Should we switch to plan B?"

      Ebony shook her head. "But what about the children? The weak creatures? They have no chance at all. At least, we can defend ourselves but they can't," she said almost pleadingly.

      Azrael looked at her as if observing her. "You. You are part a human aren't you?" he said. He pointed one by one to Adrian, Audric, Iantha and Yusuke. "So are you four. You Kurama live in the body and the world of one and you Hiei have long stayed in Ningenkai. You all know how cruel humans can be to the innocent, the weak and the helpless. Not only them but everyone even nature herself. Isn't that the law of nature? The strong survives and the weak shall perish. This is how these worlds survive and live on. Their species are strong because only the strong are left alive. This is how this world is being purified.

      "But, no. People like you, who have twisted, distorted minds have protected those who should have been eliminated. You have protected those who are weak, those who are evil, those who are unworthy of life. This world like the others must be purged. It must be cleansed of the accumulated evils."

      "Azrael," said Iantha, much to the other's surprise. "I'm not surprised why you want to punish all the entities in this universe. Yes, that's what you want, isn't it? I don't blame totally. You've been through so much suffering. But don't you realize that not everyone is evil. Just because one hunts you down, doesn't mean everyone else will. Everybody has evil sides but everyone has good sides too. We are all fallible and capable of making mistakes or sins, but that doesn't make us totally evil. In fact, those experiences and failures enrich our lives and make us better persons."

      "Really?" Azrael shifted his intent gaze on her. "I don't have to explain my actions, thoughts or belief to anybody. Not only are they private, but also because you will not and never will comprehend the height of my reason. But let me ask you something. None of you are full-blooded humans and yet, you risk your lives for their sake. Why? Why not slay the evil and prevent its propagation? Why not stop it instantly? Why wait for another person to commit the same crime twice? Why risk it?"

      "I don't think you understand either," said Ebony. "Azrael, you have lost the ability to do so. Perhaps, we are weak, always fumbling, impulsive, always held back by our emotions and selfish reasons. Nevertheless, man has a great capacity to change. You cannot waste life; you have no right. Man also has a great ability to love, which is the greatest thing about life. I'm sure you've learned that long before from experience."

      The last remark seemed to have irked the angel of death.

      "Enough!" he thundered, hitting them with a blast of raw spiritual energy. "You are incapable of comprehending me just like everyone. You have no right to judge or condemn me. Only Azrael knows his true intentions!"

      The others struggled to elude the perpetual blows of his attack.

      "PLAN B!" screamed Ebony. "SWITCH TO PLAN B!"

"YOU DON"T HAVE TO TELL US, DAMN IT!" yelled Yusuke in confusion. He in turn also fired his rei gun repeatedly.

      The others, too, attacked and an exchange of offensive spiritual strength ensued. The whole place blazed, visible for miles, as spiritual powers clashed against spiritual powers. However, even in their number, the supposed saviors of the universe were no match against the Angel of Death.

Soon, every other person was down, unconscious or immobile. Only Ebony and Azrael stood, still fighting. Now they are using their physical strength as well. A normal low-lev entity might see nothing at all but Ebony and the ageless one continued their battle relentlessly, moving with speed almost rivaling that of the light.

Alas, experience does do much in a confrontation. Azrael got Ebony by the neck, literally! He levitated, hovering near the flame, dragging her with him. Then he pulled her towards him, her nose touching his.

"It's over, Princess," he whispered, his eyes boring into hers. "You are mine. You are now one of my minions."

He gently bit her neck, right on the jugular vein. He sipped a few drops of her blood, savoring the rich metallic flavor. Then, he let go of her. She didn't fall but instead drifted away aimlessly, still floating on the air. The changes passing through her were soon visible.

Her deep, gray eyes turned blank and empty. They glowed eerily with whitish purple light. Her movements thought still dapple were somewhat restricted, almost mechanical.  Her clothes also changed. Before she was wearing black spandex legging, a black shirt with a grinning skull in front <Austine 3:16!> and her shoulder length hair was pulled into a tight ponytail on top of her head. Now she was wearing a flowing dress of some flimsy light material the color of midnight blue, though thin was still unrevealing. Also, her hair was tinged blue and was intricately fixed in many elaborate braids. Her whole being emanated a maleficent aura similar to Azrael's.

"Welcome, Maiden of the Night," sad Azrael. "Or should I say Maiden of Darkness?!?"

Ebony responded to his call at once. She flew to his side, much to the other's dismay and terror.

"I'm dead meat," muttered Yusuke not quite beyond the earshot of the others. "I shouldn't have given her too much trouble at school."

"I can't believe she actually captivated by Azrael," said Kurama.

"Hn," said Hiei.

"Not you, too," wailed Aiea. "Ebony snap out of it!"

"`Ware," cautioned Audric. "She will attack. She will follow a direct order with out question."

"What?!" exclaimed Adrian. "In that case, we're all dead meat."

"Maiden of Darkness," Azrael ordered. "Give us proof of your allegiance, please."

"Uh-oh…" said Yusuke.

She flew before them, hovering in place, and then slowly positioned her hand pointing at them, arms fully stretched. Pink energy, similar to the appearance of lightning bolts erupted from the tips of her fingers and attacked her companions, the energy grasping them, holding them, making them non-motile, and letting such unintelligible pain course through their bodies.

Each of them had their own thoughts as they all hung in mid air:

Yusuke: Good grief! I really should have treated her much nicer. Keiko will gloat if she finds out. If she ever does.

Hiei: Now what? Mukuro' will surely be a goner now. Shouldn't have trusted that girl. Knew she was a loon. Shouldn't have given this fight to her.

Adrian: I can't believe it. She really flipped. Why am I always right? Hey, I should have fainted by now. I didn't know this attack can also prevent the natural tendency of the body to lose consciousness when in too much pain. How did she learn this really brutal method? I hate to say it but… I WANT TO FAINT NOWWW!!! IT REALLY HURTS….

Iantha: Ebony, no! I can't handle this anymore. Not only this pain that you unleashed upon us, but the fact that I'd be fighting against both my sister and fiancé. This is too much. Ebony, please!

Kurama: This pain is unbearable! And yet, it isn't causing any damage. On the contrary, I fell rather… refreshed.  What kind of a game is this?

Audric: I hope you you're not doing what I think you are, Ebony. It'll never work. Nonetheless, I hope you succeed and fast. Any of us might black out anytime.

      "Enough," declared Azrael.

      Ebony dropped her finger and arm. In turn, each of the rescuers fell down like flies as her power dissipated. They lay on the flour gasping for breath, panting in exhaustion.

      "Excellent work ," said Azrael. "Come to me, my lady. You will become my consort and we shall rearrange the cosmos according to my tastes. But, first things first."

      Ebony drifted to his side and trailed behind him as he made his way to the huge tongue of flame dancing in the middle of the room.

      "He's going to start again!" said Hiei, struggling to rise.

      "we won't be able to stop him," said Iantha desperately. "Ebony's there to shield her over lord."

      "I'm sorry, Aiea," said Adrian. "But that's not Ebony anymore."

      "Still," said Yusuke. "Dare we strike a comrade?"

      "We must."

      "Perhaps, that won't be necessary," said Kurama uncertainly.

      "Huh?" Everyone turned to their former ally and her new master.

      A blinding white light flashed, accompanied by a sudden surge of energy. The next thing they saw was a dark figure falling on the floor of solid carved rock. Another figure was left floating by the flame looking almost sheepish.

      "Ebony!?!" They all exclaimed in unison.

      "You had me worried back there," said Audric  calmly amidst the hanging jaws. "I was afraid Azrael already knew of your plans."

      "No sweat," said Ebony nervously. "It was really easy. No--aurghhhh!!!!"

      A cocoon of spiritual energy wrapped around her and launched a continuos, unmerciful onslaught. Her screams continued to echo through out the room, sending chills down the back of her comrades.

      "Impressive, child," said Azrael with a laugh, having no trouble making himself heard above the din. "Very impressive. We would have both won an Oscar each for that stunning p[performance. You should have done more research more thoroughly. Then you could have found out that my minions aren't created until; given my blood. You didn't know that didn't you? Or maybe you didn't want to wait till then. Poor insolent creature! You dropped your guard for that sole chance but you failed. You practically handed yourself to me when you made that foolhardy, arrogant decision. With that knowledge, despair and DIE!"

      His powers even more increased their intensity till Ebony was practically invisible. Her screams became even more violent, filled with suffering, pain and pure agony. Finally, her tortured cries ceased as she lost consciousness but even then Azrael didn't stop. Only after almost a minute or so of her silent state did the angel of death's powers ebb. Her body flopped down on the ground, battered, helpless, completely drained of any strength, health, power, or even hope.

      Is it really? Has she really given up? Who knows? She can't even think straight. Her world was blurry, her whole body confused as a result of the damaged caused by Azrael's attack. Not only confused, her life functions were also gradually ceasing to function. This is it then, this is the end of Ebony, this is the end of the fight, and this is her failure.

      And yet even when she was dying, she tied to life by a mere strand of hair, her sub-consciousness refused to accept the fact.

~~ Must get up. Must finish the fight. Must…. The fight is not yet over… Azrael still stands.

~~ No… too weak… can't move my body…it's too painful…

~~ Stop thinking about yourself! The cosmos is at stake here.

~~ Does it matter? Perhaps, Azrael is right…

~~ No he's not! You know in your heart he's not.

~~ Yes…but I am tired. It's time somebody else take up the fight… Why me?

~~ Stop being so selfish! So many people shed their life for this, too. You're not the only one.

~~ I've…had my share. I want to stop. I'm too tired. I want…rest….

      Even as this conflict occurred inside her, her companions didn't waste any time at all in fighting their own fight. They attacked in rage, in anger, in thirst for retribution. They fought the dark angel of death; fumblingly, rashly, to blinded by fury and grief. Of course, as earlier, they failed. Each of them fell, unable to rise, too weak to even raise their heads or even to create a strong force field to shield them from Azrael's attack.

      "How much time does he still have?" gasped Yusuke.

      Audric shook his head. "I've no idea," he said.

      "We should move right now," said Adrian. "We shouldn't waste time."

      "We must plan our moves first," put in Kurama. "How do we take him out?"

      "Don't you see?" moaned Iantha tears flowing continually. "It's no use. He's too powerful. He can incinerate practically a distant star with merely a conscious effort. We're helplessly stumped without Ebony. We failed, we failed."

      "Are you ready to give up?" asked Audric quietly. "Are we going to give this fight up for the lost and leave the cosmos to its fate?"

      "No," the others declared in unison.

      "Audric nodded determinedly. He sat up and help open his arms. The others rose, too, and gave their hands to the people nearest them. The six of them formed a ring and gazed at each other.

      "Let's do it," said Kurama.

      "For Ebony," said Adrian.

      "For Ixion," said Iantha.

      "For Mukuro," said Hiei.

      "For the whole creation," said Yusuke.

      They concentrated hard; with their hearts, minds, souls, bodies;  with their whole being. Each gave every drop of his strength and power fueled by their sadness over her death. And yet, why is the energy fluctuating?

      Perhaps, it is because Azrael is hopelessly stronger than them, smarter and more experienced. No one cared anyhow.

      "This is for you: mother, father and grandfather, " whispered Audric to himself. "And also to you, little sister. You were an artist, a scientist; a genius on your own way. You are you, Ebony. It's been great being your brother… My only regret is that I shall never see my own child, your nephew but--"

      Their energy is lagging. Azrael is slowly gaining control of the fight without even breaking a sweat.

Now what? There was s a sudden surge of spiritual energy… from the heroes' part? The whole place exploded with light and power as the band of undaunted warriors gave themselves for the sake of the life. But how?

"Don't cut the energy, guys."

      Every one looked at the speaker. "Ebony!?!"

      "But your supposed to be dead!"

      "You weren't breathing a while ago."

      "I didn't feel anything at all."

      "Like, you were like a burned up match!"

      "I'm not that weak after all," said Ebony grinning. "Let's do some work, people."

      Their attack strengthened even more. Ebony is a live after all and she is helping them. Furthermore, her mere presence energized her teammates. Their power flowed freely as their hopes and spirits soared.

      "Noooo!" screamed Azrael. "You will not succeed!"

      He increased the intensity of his attack, giving his all as well. No. He's still more powerful! Slowly, efficiently, his spiritual strength engulfed theirs, sometimes almost extinguishing it totally. How much longer can they hold out? Azrael's too strong. Perhaps, nature, the cosmos and the heavens are on his side. Perhaps, he is the bringer of the Armageddon foretold in the bible to make way for the second coming of Christ. Perhaps….

      But no. Something happened again. Someone or something was helping the rescuers. But who? No matter. Because of this entity, they may have a chance.

      Do they? Unfortunately, no. The sudden pouring of spiritual energy only held of Azrael for a while. Soon, everyone discovered the real might of the Angel of Death.

      Finally, all sources of energy failed. However, only Azrael was left standing. They had been ultimately defeated.

      Azrael laughed in triumph. He dashed to the flame, still intact despite all the chaos. The mother was safe, too, protected by the power of the green fire.

      Yes, thought Azrael, shaking in excitement. I've waited for this all my life. Finally, this is it. After this, no one can stop me from taking the power of Kentrona and wasting this world. This is it!

Ebony closed her eyes in a depressed manner,  shutting out the horrible sight that met her. Only then was she hit by the reality of their defeat and failure. A tear rolled down her cheek, a single solitary tear choked with compressed emotions. She was sad, infinitely sad; for herself, for her companions, for the whole creation, for the man who had lost his humanity and morality. "Forgive me for failing," she whispered.

      Azrael suddenly drew away from Mukuro in horror. What is this? Why can't I enter her ? Why isn't the merging taking place. He looked up. the fortress of his was utterly destroyed as a result of the battle and the sky was totally visible. The moon had its cheesy white color again. The moon was no longer red. The lunar eclipse was over.

      "No. No! NO! NOOOOOOO!!!" And with one final scream, the ancient one writhed, moaned and fell apart. He began to age, his skin wrinkled away to nothingness until his skeleton was exposed. Then the bones themselves dissolved, dissipated till nothing remained.  A blinding greenish white light exploded, reaching all through out his land. None knew what happened next, for they all blacked out. Nobody knew for how long but they all awoke the same time. Azrael was gone.

      Despite what one might expect, they were all speechless and silent. There was only emptiness in their hearts as each them settled down. They took their time to savor the peace in their innermost being. Finally, rest…

      "Ixion!" Iantha practically bubbled with ecstasy. She rushed and leapt on him. And then she was in his arms; happy, contented and joyous.

      Hiei, too, had reunited with his wife. However, she was still unconscious. His voice suddenly rose in panic as he discovered she was lying in a pool of blood her white dress stained red. And her stomach…it was flat!

      "What the--?" he snarled.

      "Look!" exclaimed Ebony.

      Look indeed. Behold, where the flame used to be, the newborn twins with umbilical cords still connected to their mother. And they were both alive and well; gurgling, active and bursting with new life!

      "Wow," said Kurama. "How did that happen? She actually gave birth by herself. All of them survived. Congratulations, Hiei. We're all just plain lucky, I guess."

      "Yes," he said, as he held both children, one each arm. "Lucky."

      Just then it started raining. Fresh, healing rain that will satisfy the thirst of this barren land. The sign that symbolizes the breakage of Azrael's curse.

      "At last," said Audric. "This land is free. Life will once again flourish here."

      "Yes," said Ebony. "This is a perfect welcome to new life."

      And they all began laughing and cheering and crying as they watched the earth miraculously turn green with newly sprouted vegetation. Yes, green for plants. Green for the Earth. Green for life…

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